*For areas of the country not served by a Local Committee, the full process is handled by the national office staff.

The Process in More Detail

A requester may initiate a grant request by calling the national office or submitting a request online.
It is most efficient to have a two-way phone conversation directly with the requester.

A national office staff member performs a pre-screen to confirm the requester’s relationship with Christian Science and ensure that the request falls within our funding guidelines.
We may request references.

If the requester lives in an area of the country served by one of our Local Committees, the case is then forwarded to the Committee Administrator.

If we do not have a Local Committee in that area or if there are extraordinary circumstances, a national office staff member will conduct a more thorough interview in lieu of step #4.

By phone, or when necessary, by email, the Administrator will make every effort to contact the requester within 24 hours to conduct a more extensive interview.

Relevant details of the case are considered by a committee of 3-4 members—either the Local Committee or national office grant committee.
The committee may have follow-up questions and/or request references.
Then after prayerful consideration, the committee makes a funding decision, again, typically within 2-3 days.

The Local Committee Administrator or the national office staff notifies the requester of the funding decision.
If a grant is approved, then payment is arranged:

If by check, we normally mail the check the same day.

If the need is more urgent and the requester has a checking or savings account, we can wire funds directly to the bank.

We often make payments directly to a practitioner, auto repair shop, utility company, etc.